Graduate Awards

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For more information on graduate awards, contact the Director of Graduate Studies: Dr.Jill Rappoport.

Ellershaw Award for an Outstanding PhD Candidate
The Ellershaw Award was established in 1962 through an endowment from the estate of Edward Ellershaw, an 1889 graduate of the University of Kentucky English department. This generous gift provides scholarships for outstanding PhD students in the English Department at the University of Kentucky.

2017 Ellershaw Award Recipient:
Alex Menrisky

William J. Sowder Award for Best Graduate Student Critical Paper
The William J Sowder Award was established by Dr. William J. Sowder, in honor of his English Department professors, Dr. William S. Ward, Dr. Thomas B. Stroup, Dr. Herman Spivey, and Dr. Hill Shine. Dr. Sowder received his PhD in English from UK in 1956. This generous gift provides an award for the best critical paper written by a graduate student in the English Department at the University of Kentucky.

2017 William J. Sowder Award Recipient:
Leslie Davis

Ben Wathen Black Memorial Graduate Scholarship in British Literature
The Ben Wathen Black Memorial Graduate Scholarship in British Literature was established in 2005 in memory of Dr. Ben Black, by his wife, Mrs. Agnes Black, and John Faraci, a former student of Dr. Black. Dr. Black taught English at the University of Kentucky for almost 30 years, and became the assistant dean of the College of Arts and Sciences in 1966. This generous gift in his memory provides scholarships to support English graduate students studying British Literature.

Patricia and William Stacy Endowed Fellowship in Graduate English Education
The Patricia and William Stacy Fellowship was established in 2008 by Patricia and William Stacy. Mrs. Stacy is a graduate of the University of Kentucky English Department. Their generous gift provides scholarships to support English graduate students who show a passion for education and intend to pursue a career in middle or high school teaching, with an emphasis in English.

2017 Patricia and William Stacy Fellowship in Graduate English Education Recipient:
Dorian Hairston

Robert L. Doty English Graduate Support Fund
The Robert L. Doty English Graduate Support Fund was established in 2010 by Professor Robert Doty, an alumnus of the English graduate program at the University of Kentucky and a current professor emeritus at Campbellsville University. His generous gift provides support to excellent graduate students in the English Department at the University of Kentucky.